Buy one D200 or one D80 and D70?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/29/2007 03:41:04 PM · #1

I'm seriously going to lose my mind soon.

There would be no question of two cameras if it weren't for a friend offering his D70 with 2 lenses and battery now- one of those lenses being a nikon 50mm 1.4- which I was planning on buying. The other is the kit lens.

If I buy the D200 I can only get the SB-600 flash, and the 60mm lens. No D70. But I'd like a backup camera. Not that I NEED one at the moment, but it would be nice to have.

I'm really getting a headache from all of this. Is camera shopping this hard for anyone else?

bucket

Canon EOS-30D

09/29/2007 03:59:45 PM · #2

I'm sure you'll get better tech etc. feedback from someone else...
It drives me insane too...I would go for the D200, only because once you get your hands on upgraded gear you will feel your heart race in a way that 2 cameras won't affect you. There...that is probably the most useless feedback you'll get.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

09/29/2007 04:12:13 PM · #3

LOL thanks

Well I added up the numbers. I could still do the D200 and get one lens and the flash. My friend will hold the camera he's selling so I could save a little more and get his.

I think I've decided. I think.........

I really have no idea. I have a few weeks to figure it out yet.

Ironworker

Nikon D70

09/29/2007 04:19:59 PM · #4

Which ever deal gets you more good glass. I am perfectly happy with my D70, & now I am buying good quality lenses. I will eventually upgrade the body, but the difference in quality from my 70-300 f4-5.6 vs. 80-200 f2.8 is night & day. The 80-200 blows the other away.
The only drawback to having the D80 & D70 is they use different memory cards. The 80 uses SD, the 70 Compact Flash.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

09/29/2007 04:24:46 PM · #5

I would get the D200 over the D70 for the D200's viewfinder alone....

I say get a D200 and a good lens if possible.

The reason why I don't have a D200 is because I wait for a 5D like Nikon. A D200 with a D3 sensor. :)

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

09/29/2007 04:37:19 PM · #6

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Don't hold your breath on that one. I think Nikon basically did release it's 5D as the D3 and you might be waiting quite some time for a less expensive version. Nikon is slow, as you know and that last wave of new cameras took a lot of energy from them.

I can't even hold a D70 in my hands these days. Between that small viewfinder and the tiny screen, the difference is stunning between it and the D200. I get far more usable shots now due to that improvement alone.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

09/29/2007 04:38:19 PM · #7

Originally posted by Azrifel:

A D200 with a D3 sensor. :)

that would be saaweeet...;)

i'd go for the d200, too, i mean what's the point of a backup camera anyways, provided that you're not shootin professional.

on the other hand the d80 is not really that much different to the d200, same resolution, (almost) same noise levels, only the fps rate is a bit lower i believe...

Gotaka

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

09/29/2007 05:01:01 PM · #8

Ask yourself this question,

Would you buy a Mercedes Benz or two Honda Civics?

electrolost

Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5

09/29/2007 05:22:39 PM · #9

I would have to go with 2 honda civics. You can do alot of stuff with those little cars...

Balko

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/29/2007 05:23:00 PM · #10

Oh tell me about it! I made myself nuts not knowing even which brand to go with, never mind models! LOL I suspect I drove a few DPCers nuts too - but hey - nothing from the peanut gallery now!

To save my sanity - and my friendships here, I finally bought a camera yesterday :)

Good luck with your hunt!!

Ingrid

Originally posted by missinseattle:

MonicaJames

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/29/2007 05:54:13 PM · #11

Ask your friend if he will sell you the 50mm 1.4 separately... and then get the D200... ^_^

Message edited by author 2007-09-29 17:54:24.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

09/29/2007 06:17:56 PM · #12

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Originally posted by Azrifel:
I would get the D200 over the D70 for the D200's viewfinder alone....

I say get a D200 and a good lens if possible.

The reason why I don't have a D200 is because I wait for a 5D like Nikon. A D200 with a D3 sensor. :)

Don't hold your breath on that one. I think Nikon basically did release it's 5D as the D3 and you might be waiting quite some time for a less expensive version. Nikon is slow, as you know and that last wave of new cameras took a lot of energy from them.

I can't even hold a D70 in my hands these days. Between that small viewfinder and the tiny screen, the difference is stunning between it and the D200. I get far more usable shots now due to that improvement alone.

I must admit... After shooting with a D200, 1D Mk2 and a 5D the D70 viewfinder annoys the **** out of me.

Nikon is changing. It is not stupid, but still slow. It all depends on how good the D300 is and how that one sells. The D3 is a 100% competitor to the 1D Mk3. Next will be the D3x which will compete at the same level as the 1Ds Mk3. Only after that one is launched there will be a D3 for dummies. :))) But I am patient. I have more important things on my mind right now than my next camera. :)))

My main reason for wanting a D3 camera over the D300 is high iso performance. I hate flash.... My recent most fav photos are shot at ISO1600, daylight..... I had to get the right speed for the 85mm lens.... Pictures are great but the noise is @*$)@T$@)*$!!!

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/29/2007 06:27:17 PM · #13

Leave the D70, get the D80 and the lenses. Get the D300 when you have your lenses built up.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

09/29/2007 06:36:59 PM · #14

Originally posted by wavelength:

Leave the D70, get the D80 and the lenses. Get the D300 when you have your lenses built up.

Actually, take both the D80 and the D70 with the lenses, then turn around and sell the D70 body for more lens money ;-)

09/29/2007 07:29:49 PM · #15

Oh I should have known better then ask questions!

Wavelength- the chances of me having this much money to spend again isn't going to happen for another 20 years- seriously.

The reason I would buy the D70 is so I would have a backup- I'm doing a wedding in the spring and I do realize they both use different forms of memory.

I'd rather have two Nikons, then a Nikon and keep my Olympus. If I don't sell my Olympus I'll probably send it to my parents.

Anyhow, by the sounds of it I should just drop the whole idea of the D70. I think I may just go for the D200- need to get together with my friend for an "inservice" haha. It's such a big step up from my Olympus I don't want to jump the gun.

Anyone know when the D300 is coming out? I will probably hold off until then in hopes that prices will drop on the D200.

Then again a D80, SB-600 speedlight, 2 lenses plus PS CS2- hmmmmmm.

I do a little business, but I'd like to do more. I know I could do well the D80, but don't want to upgrade again later.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/29/2007 07:30:54 PM · #16

Originally posted by Gotaka:

Ask yourself this question,

Would you buy a Mercedes Benz or two Honda Civics?

I'd go with two civics LOL. I have an Accord now, had a civic before it. Our neighbor had a 2007 Mercedes and had nothing but problems with it.

Not to mention a Mercedes isn't my thing. I'd prefer an old VW bus actually.

neophyte

Nikon D810

09/29/2007 07:34:21 PM · #17

Originally posted by papagei:

Glad to see your back on the hunt yourself!!! :)

Gotaka

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

09/29/2007 08:38:37 PM · #18

Originally posted by missinseattle:

Originally posted by Gotaka:
Ask yourself this question,

Would you buy a Mercedes Benz or two Honda Civics?

I'd go with two civics LOL. I have an Accord now, had a civic before it. Our neighbor had a 2007 Mercedes and had nothing but problems with it.

Not to mention a Mercedes isn't my thing. I'd prefer an old VW bus actually.

I had a 94 civic myself and had lots of problem with it. Though I can't blame it on Honda, since the previous owner didn't take care of it much. But I don't mind buying a Benz either ;p (right, I wish).

I don't know much about D200, D70 or the rest to be honest with you. I used this website when I decided to buy my D50. It might help you as well:

//www.digital-slr-guide.com/index.html

doc_gonzo

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

10/02/2007 07:27:39 AM · #19

Originally posted by MonicaJames:

Ask your friend if he will sell you the 50mm 1.4 separately... and then get the D200... ^_^

This is really the ideal situation. I first bought a D70s and then a D200. Honestly, it is very difficult to even pick up my D70s at this point. The D200 is THAT much better. On paper it may not be but, it feels and handles so much better that it gives me much more confidence and it actually inspires me. It literally motivated me to take better photos so that I felt like I was worthy of my gear.

I would talk to your friend, if they are serious about selling you that lens and can understand that you just want the beast gear to further your skills, I don't think it will take TOO much arm-bending to get that 50mm/1.4.

just my .02....